It was morning of the Valentine's Day and Lizzie couldn't wait to see how many roses she will get and who will ask her on the dance that would be held on Saturday. Josie was not that enthusiastic. Only person she wanted to get something from, wouldn't probably give her anything. Yes, they were in a better place than before. But Josie had no idea what was really happening. They kissed on her birthday and they haven't really spoken about it. She wanted to kiss Penelope again, but didn't want to ruin their fragile truce. She sent a rose to her, but she knew that other girl will have many better offers than she could ever make her. She was still heartbroken over their brake up and she feared being close to Penelope and being hurt again. They got to class few seconds before the teacher entered the room. Josie didn't have a chance to go to her locker and leave all the books she had in her hands. Lizzie took too much time to get ready. One of the younger girls came with basket full of roses. Roses had cards attached and she was placing them on the tables of the girls whose names were on the cards. Lizzie got five roses, Hope got one, Penelope got seven roses and Josie got one… Her hands were shaking when she saw it. It was lavender color rose and inside of the card was a message written in perfect calligraphic handwriting.
You are the force to be recon with… Don't let anyone tell you anything different.
There was no signature, but Josie knew who it was from. She turned to look at Penelope and thank her, but the other girl was looking at her notes so Josie couldn't thank her. After the class ended, Josie could finally go to her locker and put the books in. Lizzie was bragging about her roses and then she remembered that Penelope got more than she did.
''I can't believe anyone would get Satan any rose… Who are those people who get her flowers.''
''I am sorry, but she is such an awful person and I don't get it Joe… Don't tell me you sent her a rose.''
''I didn't…''
''Good, because if you did, I would really have to make an intervention.''
''Don't be dramatic.''
Josie got to her locker and opened it. As she did, bunch of all color butterflies flew out of it. She had huge smile on her face. Inside of the locker was a message,
You still give me butterflies… They just appear with you… and die the moment you are gone…You say you love all the people and animals…So, I have one demand… Don't kill my butterflies…
Josie smiled and blushed when she realized that everyone was now looking at her. Now everyone wanted to know who did that for her. Especially Lizzie. She pulled the message from Josie's hand and was very disappointed when she didn't see the name.
''There is no signature on the card.''
Josie took the card and put it in her pocket. She got into her next class and on her desk was a small box. She opened it and found six chocolates. They were the same brand she and Penelope had on their first date. In the lid of the box was a message.
I love the sweets, but the sweetest thing I ever tasted in my life was you… In every way possible…
Josie rolled her eyes on the message and put it in her pocket. Since this was the class she didn't have with Lizzie, she was more relaxed and deep in her thoughts. Why was Penelope doing all this? Since their kiss after her birthday, things were not the same. There were even more longing looks and lingering touches in the hallways. They talked few times, but never about them or the kiss that happened. They were back to being friendly. Josie had fifth period with Lizzie so she hid the chocolates in her locker. After the class they were walking to their next class and younger kids were walking pass them and giving Josie each a rose. She got 80 roses…She had no idea what was that all about. One more girl walked to her and gave her a message. She met Hope who took her roses so she could read it.
For each week you were with me and all the amazing things we lived
Hope gave her a smile and she blushed.
''Someone is really trying…''
Josie blushed even more. She took the roses and entered her room with Lizzie. Her bed was covered with even more roses and there were three boxes. Bottom one was red dress, middle was pair of beautiful dark gold shoes and smallest one was necklace and earrings.
If you think we have something worth giving a second chance meet me at our spot at eight.
Penelope was really making an effort. Lizzie rolled her eyes at her sister. She knew who was it all from.
''Are you really going to fall for all that? Satan has some hidden agenda. ''
''Lizzie.''
Alaric entered the room and was surprised with the gifts on Josie's bed.
''Wow! Someone really made an effort.''
''Yes, dad…''
''Who is it?''
Lizzie looked at him…
''You will never guess… It's our Resident evil, Penelope Park…''
''Oh… So, two of you?''
''We are working on it dad. I guess.''
Lizzie made face like she was going to barf.
''Oh, ok…''
Josie gave him a small smile.
''Just…Just take care of yourself… Nothing hurts like broken heart…''
''I know…and mine has all the chances to be mended tonight.''
Lizzie rolled her eyes at that comment. She still didn't understand how could her sister love Penelope that much to forgive her all that happened.
''I wish you all the luck. If she is what you really want, then my love, fight for it with tooth and nails…''
''I will dad.''
''Come on! You really are ok with Josie being back with Satan?''
''If she loves her…and makes her happy…''
''She hates me…''
Josie didn't want this argument today. Before she said anything, her dad spoke.
''Lizzie, it's not about YOU! It's about your sister and who she loves and who loves her back. If Penelope Park is her choice, who are we to get involved? It's up to us to share with her good and bad things. Every love hurts and has ups and downs….but at the end of the day it matters who is in your corner. You are her sister and you should be with her to share everything…like she does for you. ''
''But she could do so much better.''
''Maybe… But she doesn't want anyone else at the time. She wants Penelope and believes she is the right choice.''
Josie put all the roses in the water and just admired them.
''So, Satan went out of her way to weasel you in again.''
''Are we really going to argue about this?''
''No, because you are nod folding. I will not allow you.''
''I didn't ask for permission.''
''Josie! You can't do it. She hurt you…''
''And I hurt her too… I did bad things too Lizzie.''
''Like what?''
''Not appreciating what she is doing for me… Not showing her how much I love her. Not giving her space and position in my life that she deserves. I realized what we had when she left me. I am not happy without her Lizzie…I want to be with her again. I want to be happy and to have someone.''
''You have me.''
''You are my sister, not my partner… Maybe you should make and effort and date someone… We can't be everything to each other Lizzie.''
''Now you are blaming it all on me?''
''No, I am telling you that you should have someone else to be your person…your lover, parner…rock… I will always be your sister…but you need more…''
'"Why?''
Josie couldn't take it anymore…
''BECAUSE YOU ARE SUFFCATING ME! I NEED MY LIFE TO BE SOMETIMES ABOUT ME AND WHAT I WANT AND FEEL. I DON'T WANT TO LIVE IN THE WORLD WHERE ONLY YOUR NEEDS MATTER… I HAVE MY OWN THINGS AND WISHES TOO.''
Lizzie stood with her mouth opened listening to Josie. She couldn't believe what Josie just said. Josie felt bad for the things she said. She was too harsh on Lizzie.
''Wow! Thank you Josie…''
Lizzie left the room and Josie took a seat on her bed and started crying. Penelope was passing and saw her.
''Hey… Jojo? What is going on?''
''Can you just hold me?''
''Sure…''
Penelope kneeled in front of Josie and pulled her into her arms. Josie sobbed into her neck and Penelope could feel the tears sliding down her neck. It tickled her a lot but she kept it together for Josie.
''Shhhh…. It's ok… I've got you… What happened?''
''Lizzie was making comments about us…and tonight…''
''Oh….''
Josie wiped her eyes and faced Penelope.
''I am sorry…''
''What for?''
''I am sorry for taking you for granted… I am sorry I was never there for you when you needed me. I am sorry that I didn't appreciate efforts you made for me. I am sorry you felt like you don't matter or that I didn't love you. I am sorry I haven't told you how much I love you more often. I am sorry I didn't show it often. I am sorry you ever had to feel like your love was not enough. I am sorry for never choosing you. I am sorry for never choosing myself. I am sorry for not realizing on time that all you did was for me. I am sorry I never put us first… I am sorry it took me so long to see that you didn't leave me because you stopped loving me, but because I didn't love myself.''
Penelope was the one crying now. She waited for so long to hear those words.
''Jojo…''
Josie took Penelope's face in her hands.
''Penelope Park, I love you so much and I promise to never doubt us again and never let anyone get between us. I need you… I need you because without you it's not the same. I am not happy without you.''
She wiped their tears….
''So, please…take me back…''
''Josie…''
''Please Penelope…''
There was small smile on Penelope's lips.
''I'll take you back if you take me… We both did things we regret and we both took what we have for granted. So, I ask you too if you take me back.''
''In a heartbeat Penelope…''
Josie kissed her and lowered herself on the floor to be on the same level as Penelope. They kissed there in their own world not realizing that Lizzie was in front of the door and that she heard everything.